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Raise a Smile

“And it is outrageous that even though specialist nursing can dramatically improve quality of life for women and men with incurable breast cancer, so many do not have a nurse they can count on for essential support.”

A spokesman for NHS England said: “We are working closely with others across the NHS to agree the best way to widen access to specialist support for all people living with cancer, including those living with secondary breast cancer, as part of our plans to transform cancer services across the board.”

Around 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year, with 11,000 dying.

Mum let down

She was first diagnosed with primary cancer in August 2015, and has now been forced to quit her job as oncologist specialising in lung cancer and lymphoma.

She said: “I was devastated to find out I have secondary breast cancer in my brain. I was diagnosed in A&E and it was a total shock. There is no specialist secondary breast cancer nurse at my hospital, so at a time I really needed support I felt abandoned.

“I have to follow up my appointments and scan results and don’t have anyone to call with my questions about treatment options. It’s upsetting I’ve had to initiate everything myself and look for my own support. Having one nurse to coordinate things would make it all so much easier.

“My cancer means I’m not able to work, have lost my independence and have limited time with my family and I’ve been left to deal with the distress and anxiety on my own.

“I feel totally let down by the lack of dedicated nursing support, it is so important when you’re living with incurable breast cancer.”